Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Tanjore Vol 01

SR No.: 020226
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P P S Shastri
Publisher: Government of Madras
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 480
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 20 MB

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Sanskrit Library at Tanjore, That learned Scholar devoted a great deal of research and labour to the task and his catalogue which he styled "A classified Index to the Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Palace at Tanjore," was published in three parts between 1878 and 1980 in London. This is now the chief key to the huge Sanskrit collection in this Library. But unfortunately a great many manus. cripts, above 4,000, seem to have been omitted and his catalogue cannot be said to be complete,
During the course of his preparation of the catalogue Dr. Burnell wrote to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras from Bangalore on 6th August 1873 as follows:
"It may perhaps be asked if the Library is worth the labour spent on it. I can answer unhesitatingly that it is. It is now a recognised fact that nearly all Sanskrit works of importance exist in different recensions. The Tanjore Library is unrivalled in this respect ; it contains several good manuscripts of all the most important ones known as yet, including a few that are new............The Tanjore Library, however, contains additional manuscripts of most of the works which I had discovered elsewhere, and this is a matter of great importance.
I believe that this Library must, sooner or later escheat to the Government. The preparation of this catalogue will therefore protect property of enormous value. Sanskrit Manuscripts have long been very dear and the cost of making proper transcripts is now very heavy. As far as I can judge, it would not be possible to form a collection like that at Tanjore at a less cost than £50,000 but many manuscripts are unquestionably unique. "
The Tanjore Mahārājā Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahāl Library is now a public library in the full sense of that terın, the Government of Madras through the Treasurer of Charitable Endowments, being responsible for its administration. The collection belonged to the reigning princes of Tanjore--the Mahratha Mahārājas. When the last of them died leaving no direct male heir and after the death of the last surviving Räni this collection together with the other pro. perties formed the subject of litigation in civil courts. There was a rumour a few years ago that the collection had attracted the